1. The problem is to calculate $2 \times 10^{100} - 2 \times 10^{98}$ and express the answer in standard form. 2. First, factor out the common factor $2 \times 10^{98}$ from both terms: $$2 \times 10^{100} - 2 \times 10^{98} = 2 \times 10^{98} \left(10^{2} - 1\right)$$ 3. Simplify the expression inside the parentheses: $$10^{2} - 1 = 100 - 1 = 99$$ 4. Multiply the factors: $$2 \times 10^{98} \times 99 = 198 \times 10^{98}$$ 5. Express $198$ in standard form: $1.98 \times 10^{2}$. 6. Substitute back into the expression: $$198 \times 10^{98} = 1.98 \times 10^{2} \times 10^{98} = 1.98 \times 10^{100}$$ Final answer: $1.98 \times 10^{100}$